‘Tis the season of hurricanes and mosquitoes – the price of
paradise – hurricanes bring rain, rain brings and mosquitoes bring the risk of Dengue fever.
The head of the Ministry of Health (SSA) in the Baja
California, Virgilio Jimenez Patiño, has stated that because of the unusual
hurricane season facing the Baja this year, the rate of dengue cases "may
increase" compared to 2014 when 4,775 cases were recorded, of which 95
were of the hemorrhagic type.
In 2014 the number of cases increased after Hurricane Odile,
so this year, considering that 19 hurricanes (four more than last year) are
forecast so an increase is almost inevitable.
"The main objective of the Ministry of Health is to
reduce as far as possible morbidity and mortality by working to prevent dengue.
The most important strategy we have, and one that should be undertaken by the
public, is keeping courtyards clean; preventing
containers in the yards of houses that
hold water, because it has been proven that even a bottle cap can have mosquito
eggs and can proliferate the spread of disease " said Jimenez Patiño.
Some estimates predict an
increase of 37% of cases in 2015 due to the additional storms and rainfall.
The dengue virus is a leading cause of illness and
death in the tropics and subtropics. As many as 400 million people are infected
yearly. Dengue is caused by any one of four related viruses transmitted by
mosquitoes. The mosquitoes that transmit the disease a generally day-flying
insects and are most active morning and afternoon. There are not yet any
vaccines to prevent infection with dengue virus and the most effective
protective measures are those that avoid mosquito bites so cover up and/or use
an insect repellent.
When infected, early recognition and prompt supportive
treatment can substantially lower the risk of medical complications.
Symptoms of dengue include:
· - a high temperature (fever) that can reach as
high as 41C (105.8F)
· - headache
· - pain behind the eyes
· - bone, muscle and joint pain
If you return from vacation with ‘flu-like symptoms within 2
weeks then you should seek medical attention immediately.